Holbrook Union Office Staff

Assistant Dean of Student Services - Mr. Kedrick Nicholas, M.S.

Bio

“Dean Ked” is originally from New Orleans, LA, but has been a resident of Lake Charles since August 2000, when he first attended McNeese State University as a scholarship football player. During his 5 years of athletics Kedrick earned a Bachelor of General Studies then continued onto graduate school at McNeese State. As a graduate student, Kedrick served as a Graduate Assistant for the Office of Student Services and President of the Student Union Board for two consecutive years. After receiving a Master of Science in Instructional Technology May 2007, Kedrick became a full-time employee in the Office of Financial Aid before soon transferring back to the Student Services Department as Student Activities Coordinator. In the fall of 2011, Kedrick was promoted to Assistant Dean of Student Services.

Job Duties

Dean Nicholas oversees several programs and initiatives that directly impact the student learning and co-curricular experience and directly supervises the Student Activities Coordinator, the Holbrook Union Administrative Coordinator, several graduate assistants and student workers.  Dean Nicholas is also the Director of Holbrook Student Union, responsible for the oversight of day to day management and operations in the facility. He oversees all major student life initiatives including Student Organizations, Greek Life, Multicultural, Student Leadership, Student Programming, and Union Office Programs. Dean Nicholas is the technology administrator for the Student Affairs Division. It is also his responsibility to collaborate with peer professionals regarding student life initiatives and developments at comparable colleges/universities. He also serves on several University committees.

Contact Information:

Student Union (New Ranch)
375 Beauregard Drive
Box 92535
Lake Charles, Louisiana 70609
337-475-5610 (office)
337-475-5608 (fax)
knicholas@mcneese.edu

Student Activities Coordinator – Ms. Lauren Kennedy, M. Ed.

Bio

Lauren grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia and completed her undergraduate degree in Communication Studies (Mass Media) at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. She recently graduated from Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina with a Master’s of Education in Counselor Education (Student Affairs Administration). While at Clemson, Lauren served as a graduate assistant to the Office of Student Clubs & Organizations and served as an important resource for students, staff, and faculty who were involved on Clemson’s campus. Lauren also interned for the Office of Leadership Education and Development at Clemson, where she assisted in planning and implementing various programs, including the Women’s Leadership Conference and LeaderShape®. She is very excited to be in Lake Charles and to learn more about Louisiana traditions, cuisine, and spirit! Lauren joined the Student Services team in fall of 2011 as Student Activities Coordinator

Job Duties

Lauren oversees, advises, and promotes leadership within the Student Union Board (programming board) as well as the McNeese Panhellenic Council and other Greek organizations. She is the official liaison between the university and each group. Lauren also assists the Assistant Dean of Student Services with Union operations, student organizations, and student life oversight.

Contact Information:

Student Union (New Ranch)
375 Beauregard Drive
Box 92535
Lake Charles, Louisiana 70609
337-475-5618 (office)
337-475-5608 (fax)
knicholas@mcneese.edu

Administrative Coordinator - Mrs. Phyllis Prejean

Bio

Phyllis has been an employee of McNeese since December 2006. She and her husband Bob, who is also employed with McNeese State University, live in Jennings. They have two grown daughters.

Job Duties

Mrs. Prejean is responsible for providing administrative support to the Office of Student Services, Student Union Board, Multicultural, Student Leadership and other recognized student groups, as well as coordinates use of Student Union facilities and equipment for meetings, programs, banquets, classes, concerts, summer camp programs and other functions.

Contact Information:

Student Union (New Ranch)
375 Beauregard Drive
Box 92535
Lake Charles, Louisiana 70609
337-475-5609 (office)
337-475-5608 (fax)
pprejean@mcneese.edu

Graduate Assistants